Egg Shakers Natural – Bag of 5

This little bag of 5 natural mahogany egg shakers comes with an “Eggtivity” Guide, packed with music-making ideas, all designed to get you, children, friends and family making music together.

The egg shaker feels very satisfying in the hand. The softness of the sound is aurally fulfilling and almost hypnotic. The egg has smooth curves, there are subtly-shifting little beads inside, and it sits nicely in the palm of the hand, stimulating and calming at the same time. It engages the tactile sense and segues perfectly into kinaesthetic engagement [movement]. It just feels right . . . and it’s almost impossible to resist shaking an egg shaker – just try!

Having multiple eggs in the pack gives scope for sorting, counting, sharing, taking out and putting away and all sorts of social and exploratory play activities in addition to the many musical and physical benefits.

This simple but ultra-versatile, little wooden sound-maker (they come in bigger and smaller sizes too) is one of very few instruments that is played in almost every musical style and in every region of the world.

These Egg Shakers can help with all aspects of EY development, including:

Sensory and/or physical needs

* Self-played:

– Strengthens grip

– Wrist twist exercise

– Improves arm co-ordination and exercises joints

– Gentle, non-threatening ‘shuffle’ sounds

– Can you roll it up and down your other arm without dropping it?

– Move up through the size range to challenge grip development.

* Practitioner-facilitated play:

Shaking eggs around the back of the head, from side to side, over the top, from front to back, closer and further away, can help ease head turning which is crucial for developing listening and balance skills. Although the dominant ear will almost always lead, it is essential to exercise both sides as much as possible.

Social, emotional and mental health
Many songs afford the opportunity for everyone to join in all together with these simplest of instruments. The value here is that, even with everyone playing, the main song can still be easily heard! It’s so satisfying to be part of a playing community, without feeling the pressure of having to ‘stand out’ or ‘get it right.’.
Over time, students can learn to shake in time or close enough. The softer shake, as opposed to a sharp attack [ e.g. the striking of a drum or chime with a beater] is less precise so demands less focus in order to ‘fall in’ with the beat. This, in turn, can make it easier for very sensitive. children to feel good about participating and more likely to join in again.
Soft on the ears. A lovely, safe entry-level instrument.

Communication and interaction
Interact between ‘same’ size and ‘little and large’.  Have ‘loud’ and ‘quiet’ talking with each other. Have ‘Mrs Big’ [student shaking the biggest egg] in the middle shaking her rhythm and lots of Mr Littles on the outside of a circle chipping in their own responses.

Cognition and learning
Gently encourages;
– Attention
– Participation
– Listening discrimination, particularly when playing games with ever-increasing/decreasing size egg shakers.

Please note that our products are musical instruments, not toys, and should always be used under the supervision of responsible educationalists and carers and not left with children under 3 years of age to play with by themselves. Please always follow our simple “Good Practice” guidelines.

N.B. For Early Years settings::

When you purchase this product you get free access to a wide range of downloadable Early Years teaching resources. Please visit our Early Years Resources page to see the range – free resources have a purple “FREE” label alongside. Please note that our products are musical instruments, not toys, and should always be used under the supervision of responsible educationalists and carers and not left with children under 3 years of age to play with by themselves. Please always follow our simple “Good Practice” guidelines.

For SEN settings:

When you purchase this product you get free access to a wide range of downloadable SEND teaching resources. Please visit our SEND resources page to see the range – free resources have a purple “FREE” label alongside.